Am I crazy or can this happen?

[Merandab4]

Many of you that had been reading my threads know that I am planning an anniversary trip in September. I planned to stay 3 nights at POP and 3 nights at GF. The 3 nights at POP were so I could afford the 3 nights at the GF Lagoon veiw.

Well, I think I am going crazy and decided to bite the bullet and stay all 6 nights at the GF. I may have to sacrafice the Lagoon view for all 6 nights garden veiw? Would you give up 3 nights lagoon veiw for all 6 nights of garden veiw at the GF?

I am trying to arrange it so maybe I can split my stay between garden veiw and Lagoon view. This would mean giving up the no expiration option on DH's 10 day hopper pass and only getting him the 6 day pass with the expiration, while I use my AP. ( I need the AP for the room rate)
I guess we will worry about his ticket next time we go.

I am also wondering if I should still plan to get the AP to save on the room, or go with a package I found at Sam's club that offers dinning and airfare.

The difference would be approximately $1,007. Do you think The two of us can find airfare from PA and still have some $ left for food?

Tell me if I am Crazy!

 

[scoutsmom99]

LOL I know what that is like! It is so hard to decide...I posted on the thread your replied to on the Codes and Rates board. Honestly if it meant spending all 6 nights at GF I would go for the garden view room. Have you considered doing one of the MYW with free dining packages?

Lagoon Veiw Package with expiring 6 day park hoppers would be
$2742.90 room (6 nights with tax) + ($236.43(2)) = $3215.76

Garden View Package with expiring 6 day hoppers would be:
$2334.81 room (6 nights with tax) + ($236.43(2)) = $2807.67

IMHO, the AP rates are not as deep as they have been in the past. If you don't need the AP (and are not planning a trip back it might not be worth only saving $70 a night on a Deluxe this go round!) for an upcoming trip after this one and/or you aren't going to be able to use it in the parks for 8 days than it may be a waste.

 

[zoe69]

I ask myself the same question every time we stay at a resort. While I'm there, I wonder why I asked because we are NEVER in the room except to sleep. Just remind yourself that you are in a BEAUTIFUL resort on the monorail. That's one of the best parts, not the view from a room you won't spend much time in. (If you are in the room alot, will you REALLY be looking out the window that much???!!!)

 

[zoe69]

BTW, you can get a Disney Dining Experience card for $50 bucks w/ your AP & save 20% on food AND alcohol in almost all table service restaurants for lunch & dinner. The card takes a few weeks to get, but they will email you a temp one in the meantime. Just check allearsnet.

 

[Suzanne74]

the AP rates aren't that great this time around. We went w/ dining this time. Have you considered that? You can't split stays but personally I would do all garden at GF and possibly hint it's your anniversary and hopefully get an upgrade. I think it would be nice to do lots of nice restaurants with the dining plan.

If you stick w/ AP, why not do 3 nights CR and then 3 nights Lagoon GF. This will save you some money but you will still be on the monorail and much easier to move? However I would have to bet that if they have rooms available and you booked half lagoon, they would try to keep you in it, esp if you booked lagoon first 3 days and garden last 3 days and its your anniversary. Can't be guaranteed but possible.

Did I just confuse you more

 

[Merandab4]

Thanks,
well, I did it. ..... First three nights are Garden veiw,,,,Last three nights are Lagoon veiw. I am spending way more than I wanted too, but heck, you only live once right???? The CM on the phone said that if they have the availability, that they may upgrade us to lagoon view the whole time.
I didn't want to ask the CM this over the phone, but does that mean they could possibly give us the lagoon veiw for the first three night for the same price as the garden room, or does that mean if we change our minds when we get there, they will make the arrangements for us at our cost?

 

[zipDdoodah]

I am guessing he meant they would upgrade you for free. Hopefully they will do that for you. Then you wouldn't have to change rooms! I think you made a good choice. If you had stayed at POP you might be wishing you were at GF for the whole trip. Have a great time!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Honestly, all the views at the GF are lovely. I wouldn't hesitate to book all 6 nights as Garden view and save some money. When they say garden, it does actually mean garden. No chance that you'll be left looking at a parking lot or service entrance. And because you are going in September, which is typically lower attendance anyway, the chances are very good that you would have a view upgrade. I think you might have asked this in another thread, but lagoon view does not necessarily mean an MK view. You could be overlooking the beach, the Poly or out towards the old Discovery Island.

If it were me, this is what I would do. Book 6 nights at the GF garden view and request a corner room. Then, book an evening flight out of PA and find a local airport hotel through Priceline or Hotwire. That way you can still go to work and have all your travel done before your vacation officially begins. Wake up early, already in Orlando and head over to the GF. Arriving early will sometimes give you the greater number of room choices. At check-in, let the CM know you are celebrating your anniversary and that you are a GF Bride. Ask what is his/her suggestion for the perfect room. They have a block of open rooms in the computer system and while the room assignor might have already given you a complimentary upgrade, the registration CM also has the ability to do the same thing. They can also see which rooms are due to be vacated that day, which may mean a wait, but it could be well worth it.

My suggestion for a corner room is that these rooms are not only a little bit bigger, but they also come with 2 balconies. That could mean both a garden view and a lagoon view. Of course, you can also get a little crazy at check-in and inquire about the possibility of a room upgrade (not just a view upgrade). In most cases, you will be quoted the difference in rack rates, but it never hurts to ask and you could get lucky and find yourself magically transported to concierge. It's not common, but it does happen.

Tammi

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

Hi
I have no opinion, we could NEVER afford Grand Floridian but I was responding to tell you to check our Airtran, we just got 79.00 down and 69.00 back from Philly, I see you are from PA. We flew them in Jan and they were great. WE are going to Disney in Aug as a last minute trip, with the dining plan we couldnt pass it up. we are staying at POP I would love to do a deluxe but as long as I am onsite I am happy

Have a great time
SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, the kids don' know...
WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY Aug 25-30 POP Century
Denise

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We've stayed at the GF garden view and loved it. We requested Sago Cay, marina view and it was lovely. It was peaceful, quiet and the marina was a nice view at a garden view price.

 

[missypie]

We just spent 5 nights at the CR and monorailed around the GF a lot. It just doesn't look like that place has any bad views. In contrast, we went over to check out WL and while the place was lovely, I could tell that some rooms had horrible views. I would pay for a better view at WL, but not at GF.

 

[joliesmom]

We flew philly to orlando for $49 each way in feb. The average cost of a one way ticket now is $79 for Sept. Book your own airfare it's cheaper.